PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAY HANANIA
rayhanania@comcast.net
Sunday JULY 24, 2011
Lightning strikes Orland Park home and causes fire
Orland Park -- A home on the block of 8400 and Country Club Lane in Orland Park was hit by lightning during this morning's thunderstorms causing damage to the homes attic, officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said.
The fire was reported at the home at just after 10 am Sunday by a passerby who did not identify himself and no one was injured, Fire District officials said.
"The first arriving units found a fire in the attic. A coordinated fire attack strategy enabled companies to gain access to the house, extinguish the fire and protect the homeowner’s belongings in a simultaneous action," said Acting Fire Chief Raymond L. Kay.
"Multiple fire companies responded to the incident making the coordinated attack possible. Quick actions and coordinated efforts can be attributed to the level of training and experience of these responders."
Kay said that an investigation at the scene concluded the fire was started by a lightning strike minutes before.
"Fire companies worked to protect the homeowner’s belongings by moving items away from the fire area and by covering other articles with protective tarps. After the fire was extinguished, crews worked to remove attic insulation from the house, which was disturbed in the course of fighting the fire," Kay said.
Kay said in addition to putting out fires and saving lives, the firefighters make saving the personal property of homeowners a priority. He said there were no injuries during this incident.
The fire department worked with the homeowners and the board up company to secure the hole in the roof caused by the lightening strike, in order to prevent further damage by rain.
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